• providing environments in which children are accepted, cared for, belong, interact, learn and succeed
• welcoming the equal participation of children with disabilities
• offering families 'real' opportunities to use the child care of their choice
• child care programs playing an important role in assisting children to develop positive self image and attitudes which value diversity and co-operation
• promoting the development of positive attitudes to difference and acceptance of each person as a contributing member of the community

• can grow and learn and change
  
• have an equal right to belong and to contribute to their community
• exhibit diversity which brings life, meaning and spirit to our community.

PLAYWORKS supports the development of the confidence and skills of caregivers to include children with disabilities by providing:

• resources
• information and library support
• newsletters and associated materials
• training
• referral to local Children's Services Resource and Development Officers (CSRDOs)

PLAYWORKS support is available to staff and caregivers in the following Commonwealth funded services:

• Child care centres (long day care)
• Family Day Care
• In-home Care
• Before and after school care programs
• Vacation care/ holiday programs
• Occasional care programs
  
  

PLAYWORKS believes that the philosophy of inclusion should underpin the policies and practice of quality service provision. This philosophy recognises the diversity that is part of our society and promotes equal rights for all individuals to participate in the activities and services provided by our community.

The practice of inclusion is a continuous process that provides each individual with the opportunity to feel accepted by others, to develop a sense of belonging and to participate in the community.

Inclusive practice in child care occurs in an environment where there is
acknowledged acceptance and appreciation of diversity and respect for all people as individuals. This practice is communicated through the interactions between staff, parents, children and the broader community.

Inclusive practice supports children to learn the value of the individual and to appreciate themselves and others, thus strengthening the acceptance and valuing of the human race. It supports quality care as this recognition of individuality supports the planning and provision of developmentally and culturally appropriate care.

The philosophy of inclusion and inclusive practice is in keeping with the Australian Commonwealth Government’s commitment to access and equity, to multiculturalism, and its obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act. This commitment is supported by this Government’s children's services programs and the related “Priority of Access guidelines”, “SUPS Program”, “Quality Assurance Systems” and “National Standards”.

All aspects of child care need to be considered when reflecting on the features of inclusive practice.

Inclusive practices are enmeshed in all aspects of a quality program and demonstrated in the interactions between the staff, children, families and the community.

Features of inclusive practice in children's services need to be considered from the perspective of:

• The child
• The parents/family
• The management and staff
• The community
  
  

PLAYWORKS supports the beliefs that:

• Inclusion is a continuous process that enables each individual opportunities for acceptance, belonging and participation in the community.
• Inclusive practice in child care requires a focus on individual children as well as a focus on group cohesiveness and connectedness with each other.

Developed by the Victorian Alliance of Specialist Resource and Training Agencies in consultation with Children’s Services Resource and Development Officers. October, 2000.

Noah's Ark is a statewide not for profit organization which supports families that have children and young adults with additional needs. It was founded in 1971 to support families and promote the well being and health of children with special needs.
Noah's Ark services are constantly developing in response to children’s and parent's’s needs.
Noah’s Ark provides:

• toy and equipment borrowing
  
• outreach services
  
• therapy services
  
• playgroups
  
• switches program (toy modification)
  
• recreation activities including camps
  
• music and movement groups
  
• early intervention programs
  
• counseling and discussion groups for all families
  
• child care support programs.
  

Noah's Ark operates out of 18 locations around Victoria, providing a variety of services in each location. For more information on these services please call (03) 9529 1466.

Noah’s Ark programs specifically developed to support child care include:

• SET (Specialist Equipment and Toys for Child Care Program)
  The SET Program provides specialist toys and equipment for loan to child care services, to assist in the inclusion of children with disabilities. The SET Program is staffed by experienced therapists that visit children's services to assist with the selection of equipment and provide professional advice. Visits are made to child care services within Victoria on a regular basis. Phone: (03) 9509 3711
• The Southern Child Care Support Team
  The Southern Child Care Support Team are a team of Children's Services Resource and Development Officers (CSRDOs) supporting child care services in Bayside, Frankston, Mornington Peninsula and Stonnington to include children with additional needs.
  Phone: (03) 9770 2530 or (03) 9770 2521
  

• Free Kindergarten Association Multicultural Resource Center (FKA MRC)
• Community Child Care
  www.copas.net.au/ccch
• The Victorian Co-operative on Children's Services for Ethnic Groups (VICSEG)
• The Lady Gowrie Child Center
  www.gowrie-melbourne.com.au
• Victorian Family Day Care Association
  www.familydaycare.org.au
• Children's Services Resource and Development Officers (CSRDOs)

PLAYWORKS also maintains linkages with other disability, family and children's services programs and services throughout Victoria and Australia.
These include:

• Commonwealth Department of Family and Community Services
  www.facs.gov.au
• The Association for Children with a Disability
  www.acd.org.au
• Center for Community and Child Health
  www.rch.unimelb.edu.au
  www.ecconnections.com.au
  
• The National Family Day Care Council of Australia
  www.familydaycare.com.au
  
• National Out of School Hours Services Association (NOSHSA)
  www.noshsa.org.au
  

• Inclusion S.A. South Australia
  Ph: (08) 8346 0433 Fax: (08)8346 0499
• RUCSN (Resource Unit for Children With Disabilities) Western Australia
  Ph: (08) 9221 5616 Fax: (08) 9221 3990
• Lady Gowrie Tasmania
  Ph: (03) 6236 9261 Fax: (03) 6236 9076
• Childcare Access Resource and Training Agency, Queensland
  Ph: (07) 3255 2082 Fax: (07) 3255 2979
• New South Wales Child Care Inclusion Support Service
  Ph: (02) 9550 2032 Fax: (02) 9565 4092
• Children's Services Resource Link ACT
  Ph: (02) 6287 3330 Fax: (02) 6287 4242
• North Queensland Childcare Access Resource and Training Agency, Townsville Queensland
  Ph: (07) 4727 9683 Fax: (07) 4771 4133

"The material is provided by PLAYWORKS Resource Unit, a program of Noah's Ark Family Resource and Toy Library for Children with Special Needs, Inc. A0028380C. It is intended only to provide a summary of information and a general overview on matters of interest. The content is not intended to be comprehensive nor does not constitute professional advice. You should seek independent professional advice on particular matters or matters of interest."

.

Office Hours Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm

TEL (03) 9500 8133

FAX (03) 9500 8966

TTY (03) 9500 8433

Postal Address 590 Orrong Road Armadale 3143

Director Ms Carol Grant

E-mail playwork@vicnet.net.au